Santa Clara County really needs poll workers for Tuesday primary

SAN JOSE -- Have some free time Tuesday and looking to do some civic good? Why not help your neighbors vote?

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters is still looking for more than 800 volunteers to staff polling locations for next week's primary, where voters will cast ballots in a bevy of local, state and national contests, such as the races for governor and San Jose mayor.

With 879 polling locations across the county, it's always a struggle to attract enough people willing to set up voting booths, sit there for 13 hours of voting and then close up shop, especially during primaries, when public interest in elections is lower. But this year is especially tough because the county is looking for volunteers that speak four more languages than they've used in the past: Hindi, Japanese, Khmer and Korean. As always, the county is also looking for bilingual poll workers fluent in Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

The gig, which comes with the fancy title of elections officer, pays $95 to $180, and runs 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with two breaks. There is no experience necessary -- the county will provide you with training, though the last training is Saturday. Call 408-299-POLL or visit sccvote.org if you're interested.

"Working at the polls on Election Day is one method of being involved in the election process -- ensuring we have the right to vote," said registrar Shannon Bushey. It's "a way to meet your neighbors and community members, and earn a stipend that you could donate to your favorite charity."